The 8^th Century Indian Buddhist philosopher and monk Shantideva once wrote, “All the joy the world contains has come through wishing happiness for others. All the suffering this world contains has come through wanting pleasure for oneself.” 

I understand the spiritual path as having two inter-related purposes: to free our hearts, and to help others. 

Meditation is a powerful process of transformation. But on its own, it’s not enough to heal our broken world. In times of need, we must also act out of compassion.

The more we help others, the freer our hearts become. Helping another, we let go of our pain, fixations, and doubt. Wishing others well through kind words and loving action, we gain perspective on our sorrow and joy. We come to understand our fundamental interconnectedness with one another, and this insight frees the heart from isolation, fear and constriction.

So this week, I’m writing with two different kinds of resources: one to help others, and one to help yourself, recognizing that the two go hand in hand.

Perhaps like me, you’ve felt heartbroken at the tragic news coming out of India, where COVID-19 is surging out of control. India is the birthplace of the Dharma, the teachings of the Buddha that have touched so many lives around the globe. If we have a duty to help any fellow, suffering human, how much more so when we have benefited so profoundly from the spiritual richness of an entire culture.

If you’re looking for ways to help those in India, this article from PBS offers twelve ways to get involved and put your compassion into action.

Meanwhile, if you could use some support to renew and strengthen your heart, I warmly invite you to join me, Sharon Salzberg and others for the annual spring Metta (Lovingkindness) Retreat online via Insight Meditation Society. It's a great opportunity to learn this beautiful, healing practice with a master like Sharon.

If the Metta Retreat doesn’t line up for you, feel free to check out my other summer retreats here.

Warm wishes,

Oren

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